I know this thread is like beating a dead horse because its more than likely been asked several hundred times, BUT I am biting the bullet and buying a Long Arm.

You know me I am not in all this fancy smancy new fangled sewing apparatuses, but I am seeing a need that needs to be filled so to speak.

The use of the machine will be personal but if I can do it for others and make a buck I will. I would like for one to be CNC capable so I can create the design on the computer and then hit a button and watch it go. Whether I purchase that option or not, I want the company to offer something like that. And space is not an issue.

So what are your opinions and recommendations.

Billy

If I could afford it I would have the Crown Jewel by Babylock. I have seen several demos and tried all of them, and so far that is my favorite. That would work best for me. Have you tried any at quilt shows, that where I usually get the oportunity.

Today I had an opportunity to play with every machine under the sun. I would like to one day own a long arm, and I also know that is a matter of personal preference and getting used to it, but I really like to sit down to quilt. I enjoyed a lot the HQ and the Thin Lizzy, both sit down models. I have never had a chance to test the George. I find long arms wonky, but if I move the quilt is a lot better for me.

If I could stretch my Juki, I would. An all metal, straight mechanical machine. I love it.

I have been trying them out at quilt shows and such. I like the Nolting. I think because of it's similarity to my Juki and my old machines. Less to muck up.

I think you could put a computer on it but not sure of the interface, because I don't think they are computerized machines. (I like to do it myself, so am not interested in Q-bot stuff).

I have a gammill. It doesn't have the computer on it. It does have the regulated stitch and the lazer and the circle thingy and comes with patterns to follow with the lazer etc. I dont' use any of it. I do free hand quilting and that is all I will do.

I choose the Gammill because it is all steel gears, no plastic and even the body of the machine itself is cast from a mold and I like that, all metal. The table is awesome...no weakness that I have noticed with other tables, no shaking etc...the rollers are nice and fat and strong as compared to others I have seen....Go to gammill.com and check it out....I tried a several and the gammill did it for me...you can move the head with your finger...it channel locks horizonal or vertical and there is so much more...go check...

I know some ladies like designs all overy their quilt, I don't. I want to see my work not the stitching. The stitching just support the quilt, that's how I look at it.

I own the affordable long arm--a Tin Lizzie 18LS. I love it! It can do anything a Gammill can do. There are other machines that are similar and in the price range of the Tin Lizzie. I would go try several dif ones out if you can.

Tin Lizzie is all metal too. Heavy machine.

Well like everyone else in this economy I want the most bang for the buck but I also want one that will last my wife and I for a long time.

As far as servicing the machine I can more likely do that myself and since I will be in the backwoods the idea of a service call will never cross my mind.

But thank you for your input and keep the comments coming!!!

Billy

Have you seen this? I think it's fantastic!

.....The Martelli LaCresta long arm quilting machine is built to never see the service technician once the machine is installed. This is one long arm quilting machine you have to see....


The Martelli website is under construction but here is a description of the LA.
http://www.caldwellsewvac.com/martelli-lacresta.php

That is a neat machine and I like the fact that the rails are overhead. If you ever rode a suspended roller coaster then you know how smooth the ride is.

Billy

I would suggest joining the homequiltingsystems group at http://groups.yahoo.com . It is a very active list of longarmers with different setups, and their file section is full of information and some comparisons.

good luck and let us know what you decide!

I just bought a brand new Gammill Optimum in January and I love it. I didn't buy the Statler Stitchery which is their computerize program for Gammill, but I hope to eventually. One step at a time. I have seen their Statler Stitchery in progress and it is totally amazing what it can do for you and for the quilt. Gammill does have used ones for sale as well as brand new ones. But there are enough people out there who are always trading up and you could probably even get the computerized option that way too. Good luck and let us know what you decide to get.

Thats one thing I will not do is the yahoo groups. nothing but bad experiences there. Shame there is not like a Consumer Reports for sewing machines or long Arms

Billy

i also bought the tin lizzie 18 ls, it has the lizzie stitch and the manual stitch, i don't have the computerized stitcher called the shirley stitcher, it costs quite a bit. i do some for other people to make a few extra bucks, do all my own and my quilting friend Sharon does all hers on mine, she's the one who helps me with mine. i bought couple chairs on rollers from samsclub.com, they go up high enough that i can quilt sitting down, so i like that. the tin lizzie is affordable and there's a dealer in my town that sells and services them, i think that's important - service after the sale.
donna

I also have the Optimum. It is amazing all the things it can do if I want to fool with it lol. I just do what makes me happy and that is free hand using the regulated stitch. The Statler is fine for those who want to pay extra for all that. I only charge one penny a square inch and a 3.00 service charge. It makes it very affordable for the ladies.

Billy, you are getting your consumer report right here lol, just hang in there....

First you need to have a price you are willing to pay. That will narrow down your choices especially if you want the computerized robotics. Unless, of course, you're sitting on a gold mine--then just waltz on over to Gammill or APQS and tell them you want one with everything to go--LOL!

Make a list and put price at the top. Then decide which features you must have and which you would like to have. Then go try as many as you can get your hands on.

Wow! All of my experiences there have been good. All of the groups I belong to have great moderators, though. Have not had any problems at all with the homequiltingsystems group.

Thats why I was asking you guys, after all with all the members here on the board you are closer to the experts than the advertisements you see in the magazines!!!

Billy

I dont skimp on tools and toolboxes (all Snap-On) and I dont want to skimp on this machine. To me its no different than the tools I use in my garage, you get what you pay for. I just want a really good machine for a fair price.

Funny thing though the contents of my garage is worth way more than my house LOL!! Scary :shock: :shock:

Billy

Sounds like our garage and that's not counting the 3 vehicles because they won't fit in it any more. Hubby is a wannabe woodworker, former gunsmith, former welder with a motorcycle fetish.

So, you only want the good stuff! As long as I'm spending someone else's money; I would compare the:

A-1 Elite-- http://www.a1quiltingmachines.com/index.php
APQS Millenium-- http://www.apqs.com/machines_millennium.php
Gammill Vision-- http://www.gammill.com/index.php?m=model_comparison
Nolting Pro-- http://www.nolting.com/catalog.php

There may be a couple others but these are the creme de la creme and all have a rock solid reputation.

The gammill needs to be on top lol. They were the first to make a long arm and the have so improved on their merchandise. The service is wonderful. The dealer came to my house and set my machine up then the wife spent 4 hour with me, teaching me....I can call them anytime if I have questions...but I have been well sesoned for years now lol....

Anyway Bill, you really need to try a few of those machines...you know the sales pitch is great but there is nothing like trying the things they say the machine can do.....

Now we are talking, I will see about all of these and I am thinking just from what I heard so far Gammil will be the one I might end up with but I need my wife to take them for a test drive first. I will be using it also but she will pick the one that suits her the best.

Billy

I like the way the customer service sounds from them. And your right the best machine with the best customer service should always be up at the top!

So now I have a list to work from and I will be choosing from one of these. Who knows an embroidery machine may be next. But I know which one of those to get ;)

Billy

Melco? :)

I had an APQS. It was a fairly good machine but it wasn't stitch regulated and it was too light weight to stich slow with, it bounced at slow speeds. If I was going to get one now I'd look at the Nolting, Gammill and A-1s. My friend had a Proto that was great too but I don't know if they're still in business. And I wouldn't get any thing shorter than a 20 inch on any frame smaller than a 12 foot.

Well, of course the wives make all the important decisions!

I bought a 26", 12' Innova, made by ABM International, in December 2009. I shopped around and found out that I could get that machine, loaded the way I wanted, for a decent price - about what I would be paying for a used Gammill, which was my other option. And I liked the Innova better. ABM hasn't been making longarms for very long, but they have been making industrial-size quilting machines since 1947. They have taken many of the concepts (and patents) developed for the commercial market over into their longarm product. Service for the machine is excellent and 24/7/365. What might interest you, Billy, is that there is a MacGuyver-type owner who has invented a number of very cost-effective DIY projects for the Innova. He posts on the InnovaLAQ Yahoo group. (And yes, I hated yahoo groups too, but I joined the 2 for the Innova because there is so much useful information there.) The choice of a longarm is very personal, but I hope you will check out the Innova. I think you will be impressed by its engineering, price, and features. The machine itself is lightweight and easy to steer. The stitch regulator is awesome and you can't outrun it. The frame is all metal and rock-solid, but it doesn't weigh a ton. The design is such that (at least so far) you can upgrade your machine with any feature, rather than having to buy a new machine. As a novice, I've had almost no problems with my Innova so far, and the problems I did have (user error) were solved by a phone call. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions. Oh yes, one of the nice features of the Innova frame is that you can lift up the bar holding the top to check that the back and batting are nice and flat before you start quilting a section.

That is true!!

Billy

With the Gammill you can also upgrade to a newer one or have it retrofitted with the Statler anytime you want to go to the next step. The service has been excellant. The company came out and set it up and I have had 3 separate training sessions with the local sales rep and she always tells me if I have any questions to call at any time. I was having a little problem with my thread tension on the bottom of the quilt so I sent an email and both the sales rep and the distributor called me right away the next morning. It was a simple little adjustment the distributor had me do. Please the distributor has called me 3 or 4 times just to check and see if I have any questions or concerns. I have the Optimum Plus with the 30" throat and the 12' table on hydraulics with the light bar. If different height people are going to be using your machine you might want to think about the hydraulics.

My wife is 5'7 and I am 5'9 so we are close enough to the same height to where it can be left at the same level.

Billy

The deeper throat would be good for you then. I am only 5'0" so the 30 inch was a stretch, but I wanted it so that when I do get a Statler I will have more area to quilt.

Well I am going to see if I can physically look a these machines and play with them and some time after I get back from my trip around the country on my new chopper I will go and pick it up.

I plan on selling my bike after I get back so thats why I am not worried about the cost of it. I will use some of the money from the sale of the bike to buy it. Its only fair, I was able to enjoy my bike riding it on a month long trip around the country so my wife needs to have a LA that she can enjoy!!

Billy

I have had my Tin Lizzie since October and am very happy. I looked for a long time before deciding to buy the 18LS. I have it set up at 10' length. One of the deciding factors was the fact that Tin Lizzie makes some of the other models on long arms, so I figured that it was best to buy from the manufacturer. Cost was an issue for me. I couldn't spend the money for a Gammill SS, and the Tin Lizzie has all the features that I needed, the stitch regulator is great. One day I may add on a computer module but for now, we are a good pair.

I kinda like the Nolting, made in the U.S.A, but I am so far from buying one, (still newbie) that it don't matter :roll:

The A1's are an awesome machine too. I am disabled and determined the HQ fit my own needs best, so that's what I personally bought. Plus, I'd never have a 3 pole frame, only a 4-pole. Weight was a huge criteria, as was the mtc. schedule. I went to purchase a Millie, but it was too heavy.

I would check out the mtc. schedules. Some are mtc. heavy and it takes a lot of time - also some brands drip oil! And some require you to purchase Edgerider wheels as their own wheels aren't that great. Talk to users about these aspects, because company's generally don't admit them :) The truth is they're all good machines. But, I do understand there are major differences in the computers. IQ is one whereby I've read a lot of folks are selling the other brands and buying it for some reason. They say there are many advantages to it, so it might be something to look into.

Go to Houston this year and test drive them all, one after the other. That will give you the best comparison. In addition, if you're ready to buy then, the show prices can't be beat :)

be sure to check out the Innova-great machine-great price and great service

Billy were you aware there are vintage long arms? I was in a small quilt shop recently and they had vintage ones. No stitch regulator and all mechanical. Haven't read the whole thread yet so apologies if this has been mentioned.

PS I just got the Innova and love, love, love it. Reasonably priced for industrial quality.

You can have your Juki stretched. Contact http://www.wowquilts.com They stretch Juki, Brother, Babylock and Janome 9" straight stitch only type machines.